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NON-EMERGENCY NHS TRANSPORT SERVICE WITHDRAWN

August 7th, 2018.

The High Weald Lewes Havens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has made the decision to end the NHS Transport for the Havens service provided by CTLA Community Transport – the last working day will be Friday 28th September 2018.

The partnership pilot scheme was started in February 2015 and has run successfully for three and a half years transporting patients to practices and clinics in Newhaven, Peacehaven and Telscombe and to the Lewes Victoria Hospital. The service improved access to healthcare for anyone who may otherwise have struggled to reach local health services.

Within its first two months of operation, the pilot scheme signed up over 400 members and has grown to over 1500 registered potential beneficiaries delivering nearly 7000 passenger journeys per annum.

In a letter sent to service users from Keith Hoare, Community Services Manager for the CCG, he stated: “The reason for this decision is because the NHS, both locally and nationally, is currently facing a significant challenge to try to meet a rising demand on services within restricted finances and resources. This has meant that the local NHS can no longer afford all the services that it currently pays for… …this decision does not reflect the quality of the service and it is not one we take lightly as we recognise there are benefits other than clinical that it provided.”

CTLA Community Transport is the last accessible transport charity of its kind, covering the Lewes District, and would welcome donations to help those affected by these cuts to still reach local health practitioners on their other services.